Talia wins AFL Rising Star

Updated September 05, 2012 15:55:32

Adelaide defender Daniel Talia has won the AFL Rising Star award in his second senior season.

The 20-year-old has played 31 matches for the Crows and will make his finals debut on Saturday in the home qualifying final against Sydney.

Talia is the first Crows player to win the prestigious award.

He polled 43 votes, with Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremey Cameron next on 35 and Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis finishing third with 19.

Talia has played 22 matches this season, building a strong reputation as a key defender.

He earned his nomination in round 12 for a strong defensive performance on St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt.

"It's a huge honour, I don't think I really expected it," Talia said at Wednesday's award ceremony in Melbourne.

"It's come as a surprise, we're focussed on the finals and haven't really talked about it. Obviously it's a huge honour."

Talia debuted last year for the Crows and played nine matches after overcoming a pre-season Achilles injury.

Greater Western Sydney midfielder Toby Greene probably would have won the award, but he was ineligible because of suspension.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, adelaide-5000

First posted September 05, 2012 15:32:27

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Wingard wins Rising Star nomination

Updated August 28, 2012 09:32:52

Port Adelaide's Chad Wingard has won the AFL Rising Star nomination for round 22.

Wingard was given the nomination after a strong performance in the Power's loss against Brisbane in the wet at Football Park on Saturday.

The 19-year-old was one of the home side's highest possession-getters, picking up 27 disposals and five marks and scoring a goal against the Lions.

Interim coach Garry Hocking said Wingard had taken advantage of the opportunity for extended time on the ball in the Brisbane game.

"We've been just giving him bit roles in the midfield to give him the opportunity to have some bodies around him, but this week was as long as he'd spent in there," Hocking said.

"He's worked hard as a young player coming into the club to earn his spot there and this achievement is another reward for all that work he's put in."

Wingard joined Port Adelaide after he was taken with pick six in the 2011 AFL draft.

He made his debut for the Power in round one and has played 18 games for the year.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted August 28, 2012 09:32:52

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Sinclair gets round 11 Rising Star nod

Updated June 12, 2012 08:56:54

Collingwood small forward Ben Sinclair has won the AFL's round 11 Rising Star nomination after a sterling performance against the Demons on Monday.

Sinclair grabbed five marks, 12 possessions and booted home three majors in the Magpies' 42-point win over Melbourne in the Queen's Birthday match at the MCG.

The 20-year-old has played every game this year after succumbing to a fractured leg in early 2011 which delayed his debut AFL appearance until Round 19 in a season where Collingwood finished as grand-final runners-up to Geelong.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley has lauded Sinclair's consistency.

"In the first half of this year Ben has consistently been impacting on games for us," Buckley said.

"His contested footy, his pressure on the opposition and his ability to regularly get on the scoreboard have become really valuable and important to our flexibility.

"Right now he's one of our first picked, certainly one of the first picked of our small forwards."

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First posted June 12, 2012 08:49:42

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Adelaide's Talia wins Rising Star nomination

Updated June 19, 2012 18:30:25

Adelaide defender Daniel Talia has won the round 12 AFL Rising Star nomination.

Talia was part of the Crows' defence that weathered a last-quarter storm from St Kilda's attack to hold on for a four-point win at Football Park.

The 20-year-old defender finished the game with just seven possessions, but was influential against the experienced Saints forward line.

Talia was the Crows' first pick in the 2009 AFL draft. He was recruited from Greenvale Junior Football Club, Assumption College and the Calder Cannons.

He made his debut in round 15, 2011 and has played 20 AFL games for the Crows.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said Daniel has stepped up after the departures of Nathan Bock to the Gold Coast Suns and Phil Davis to Greater Western Sydney.

"He has been really good for us this season as a key defender," Sanderson said.

"We have been able to send him to the best opposition key forwards and have confidence that he will play a big role for us.

"He's only 20 and played about 20 AFL games, so it's a credit to him that he's claimed some scalps this year."

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, sa, adelaide-5000

First posted June 19, 2012 11:20:07

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Giants' Shiel named Rising Star nominee

Updated June 05, 2012 09:45:08

Dylan Shiel has become the fourth Greater Western Sydney player to earn a Rising Star nomination after picking up the award for Round 10.

Shiel turned in an impressive performance in the Giants' 65-point loss to Geelong at Kardinia Park, finishing with 21 possessions, five tackles, three clearances and two goals.

Giants coach Kevin Sheedy said the hard-working Shiel has developed into a key player after featuring in nine of the Giants' 10 games played.

"After an injury interrupted preseason, Dylan has shown the great talent we knew he had when we selected him and he has been one of the keys in our midfield along with Callan Ward, Tom Scully, Stephen Coniglio. Toby Greene and Taylor Adams," Sheedy said.

A talented Victorian junior, Shiel joins Giants team-mates Jeremy Cameron, Tomas Bugg and Stephen Coniglio in earning a Rising Star nomination this season.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, blacktown-2148, nsw, australia

First posted June 05, 2012 09:42:45

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Rising reward for Bombers big man

Updated May 29, 2012 08:46:19

Essendon defender Jake Carlisle has been recognised with the round nine Rising Star nomination.

The 20-year-old took seven marks and gathered 13 possessions in the Bombers' 11-goal win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night.

Carlisle, who has played seven matches this season to go with his 10 from last year, has been an influential figure in the Essendon's much-improved defence.

"His football in the back half of last year and so far this year has been very good, so it's a credit to him to get the nomination," Bombers coach James Hird said.

"I think Jake reads the game very well and his ability to take a mark as a defender and use the ball very well helps create our attack.

"We've played him forward and back so it's great to have that versatility in the team.

Carlisle was taken with pick 24 in the 2009 draft.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, essendon-3040, vic, australia

First posted May 29, 2012 08:46:19

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Golby grabs Rising Star nomination

Updated May 22, 2012 15:41:57

Mitch Golby has been named the round eight Rising Star nominee for his performance in Brisbane's 92-point win over Greater Western Sydney.

Golby, who suffered two serious injuries in 2009 and 2010, had 24 possessions in his 16th game for the Lions.

"That was probably my best game. It's pretty handy getting my hands on the pill but it's just good that we got the win, which is the main thing," Golby told the AFL website.

The 2010 rookie draft recruit from Gippsland established himself in the Brisbane side at the tail end of last season and coach Michael Voss has picked him in every game this term.

"Mitch shows an exceptional work rate and has really found his place in our backline this year," Voss said.

"He's a quiet achiever - he puts his head down and does his job with no fuss."

Golby is the second Lion to win the Rising Star award this season after Claye Beams did so in the week one.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted May 22, 2012 15:41:57

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Coniglio snares Rising Star nomination

Updated May 15, 2012 10:41:36

Greater Western Sydney's maiden win has received more plaudits with teenage midfielder Stephen Coniglio earning the round seven Rising Star nomination.

The Giants' 27-point win over the Gold Coast at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Saturday featured a strong performance from the 18-year-old Coniglio.

He had 31 possessions, took six marks and kicked a goal playing out of midfield in just his sixth game in the AFL.

Giants coach Kevin Sheedy said Coniglio's impressive start to the season deserved widespread recognition.

"Stephen's nomination is reward for an outstanding game in our first win on Saturday and an excellent season so far," Sheedy said.

"He and our other young midfielders such as Toby Greene, Dylan Shiel and Devon Smith have shown tremendous consistency and maturity for their age and experience.

"He is our third Rising Star nomination so far this year after Jeremy Cameron and Tom Bugg and hopefully he won't be the last," he said.

Coniglio was signed by the Giants as their number two pick in last year's national draft.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, blacktown-2148, nsw, australia

First posted May 15, 2012 10:37:53

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Cats' Motlop earns Rising Star nomination

Updated May 08, 2012 11:25:46

Talented Geelong small forward Steven Motlop has been rewarded for a strong start to 2012 with the round-six nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.

Motlop, 21, has held his spot in the Cats' line-up for the opening six games of the year, after only playing a total of five senior matches in the previous two seasons.

He reached new highs in Saturday's 43-point win over Melbourne, finishing with 28 possessions, three marks and a goal.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said Motlop - the brother of former Port Adelaide star Daniel Motlop - had become much more consistent this year.

"We have been extremely impressed with his run which is vital to our side," Scott said.

"He has been able to overcome injury and it is great to see him rewarded with this nomination."

Motlop was selected by Geelong with pick 39 in the 2008 national draft from the Wanderers football club in Darwin.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, geelong-3220

First posted May 08, 2012 10:29:44

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Dockers scrape past rising Suns

Updated May 05, 2012 20:42:05

Gold Coast lost its chance for an opening win of the season after falling seven points short against the Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium.

Fremantle shaded the second half to win its fourth game of the year and move into the top eight with the 14.10 (94) to 14.3 (87) victory.

The Dockers' Luke McPharlin told Grandstand his team was happy to get away with the win.

"We came to get the four points, and we did achieve that in the end," he said.

"It wasn't our best performance by any stretch ... the Suns were excellent all night, thankfully we won the game but there's certainly many things we can improve on.''

McPharlin said the Dockers had expected a tough contest from the winless Gold Coast.

"We knew they were going to come in hard, they've shown glimpses of it this year,'' he said.

"We expected that at some stage they were really going to come at us.''

The result was the least of the Suns' worries, as the second-year team lost veteran key defender Nathan Bock for the year to injury.

The incident came in the first term, when Bock crumpled after his leg was caught beneath him in a contest.

The game was stopped for nearly five minutes as medical staff attended the former Crows' player, who was taken to hospital after fracturing his lower right leg in a contest with the Dockers' Matt De Boer.

The Suns came from 17 points behind in the opening quarter to lead by as much as 17 points at half-time thanks to a goal by Karmichael Hunt after the siren.

But with Bock out, and inspirational young gun David Swallow struggling with a leg injury, Gold Coast could not hold out the visitors.

It was an extremely brave performance by the Suns, who were already missing Gary Ablett and Michael Rischitelli before the opening bounce.

In the absence of the senior players, Swallow, Hunt, Sam Iles and Dion Prestia played strongly for Gold Coast, but the star was Harley Bennell who kicked three goals and had a massive 37 disposals.

The momentum swung in a four-minute stretch from the 19-minute mark of the third quarter, where a Lachie Neale score was followed by two goals from De Boer to give the visitors hope.

Suns: 14.3 (87) - Swallow 3, Bennell 3, Caddy, Day, Hunt, Iles, Russell, Shaw, Brown, Brennan.

Dockers: 14.10 (94) - De Boer 3, Mayne 3, Neale 2, Clarke, Crowley, Hill, Roberton, Pavlich, Mzungu.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, qld

First posted May 05, 2012 19:35:22

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Bugg claims rising star nomination

Updated May 01, 2012 11:23:20

Greater Western Sydney has earned its second rising star nomination for the year, with defender Tomas Bugg recognised for a fine performance against the Western Bulldogs.

Bugg was one of the Giants' best in the side's 42-point loss to the Bulldogs in Canberra - the closest of their five defeats.

The 19-year-old was pitched into the midfield for the final quarter, recording 28 possessions and seven marks in a game where he manned Shaun Higgins, Justin
Sherman and Nathan Djerrkura at various points.

"For a first-year player Tom has shown tremendous poise and maturity and has been a consistent performer each week," GWS coach Kevin Sheedy said.

"His nomination is a reward not just for his game against the Western Bulldogs but what he has done every week playing in defence, often against bigger and more experienced opponents."

GWS forward Jeremy Cameron, who was round two's rising star nominee, booted five goals against the Bulldogs.

Bugg, like Cameron, was pre-listed by the club under concessions that allowed them to sign up to a dozen promising 17-year-olds from the end of the 2010 season.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, rooty-hill-2766, nsw, australia

First posted May 01, 2012 11:18:36

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Saints' Steven earns Rising Star nod

Posted May 31, 2011 12:05:00

St Kilda's best win of an otherwise disappointing campaign has had another benefit, with forward Jack Steven earning the round 10 nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.

Steven, 21, was one of the Saints' best players in the 46-point win over Fremantle in Perth on Saturday, accumulating 27 possessions, four tackles, four marks and a goal.

After debuting late in 2009, Steven has taken some time to earn a regular spot in the Saints' line-up, but has now played the last seven games in succession.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Steven had been rewarded for his hard work.

"After showing some good signs last season, Jack has been a great addition to the St Kilda side this year and has provided great energy and run over the last few games," Lyon said.

"He is a versatile player who has proved his ability as a small forward, and over recent weeks, has also stepped up as an attacking midfield player.

"We challenged Jack, asking him to step up, take on greater responsibility, and to his credit he has responded well."

Steven was selected by St Kilda with pick number 42 in the 2007 national draft from the Geelong Falcons.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000, st-kilda-3182

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Young Smith a rising Sun

Posted May 10, 2011 11:36:00

Young Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith has been selected as the round seven Rising Star nominee after playing a key role in the Suns' gripping victory over new rivals the Lions.

The 21-year-old, 205 centimetre ruckman had 22 disposals and seven marks in the eight-point win at the Gabba, the Gold Coast's second victory for the season.

Suns coach Guy McKenna says Smith has shown on multiple occasions this season why he is considered to be a vital piece in the Suns' rapid development.

"Zac has worked extremely hard since arriving at the club three years ago and I have seen him learn and grow into the exciting player that he is becoming," McKenna said.

"He has been playing AFL for just over five years now, and in his previous two seasons with the club, through under 18's and in the VFL, he won our most professional player award, setting a great example for his team-mates to follow."

Smith joins fellow young starlet Brandon Matera in being nominated for the award.

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Port's Pittard gets Rising Star nod

Updated April 19, 2011 12:28:00

Port Adelaide defender Jasper Pittard has been rewarded with the round four AFL Rising Star nominee.

Playing across half-back, the left-footer had 25 possessions in Port Adelaide's 32-point victory over Adelaide on Saturday.

The 20-year-old was named as an emergency five times late last season but has played all four matches this year since making his AFL debut in round one.

Power coach Matthew Primus said Pittard had developed well over the preseason and has worked particularly hard on the defensive side of his game.

"He's a terrific young man with great qualities and we look forward to him continuing his development during the remainder of the season," Primus said.

Originally from the Torquay Junior Football Club in Victoria, Pittard was Port Adelaide's first selection (16th overall) in the 2009 AFL draft.

In 2009 he represented Vic Country in the AFL Championships and played for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup.

-AAP

First posted April 19, 2011 11:06:00

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Port youngster gets Rising Star nod

Playing across half-back, the left-footer had 25 possessions in Port Adelaide's 32-point victory over Adelaide on Saturday.

The 20-year-old was named as an emergency five times late last season but has played all four matches this year since making his AFL debut in round one.

Power coach Matthew Primus said Pittard had developed well over the preseason and has worked particularly hard on the defensive side of his game.

"He's a terrific young man with great qualities and we look forward to him continuing his development during the remainder of the season," Primus said.

Originally from the Torquay Junior Football Club in Victoria, Pittard was Port Adelaide's first selection (16th overall) in the 2009 AFL draft.

In 2009 he represented Vic Country in the AFL Championships and played for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup.

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Cats youngster in Rising Star running

Posted April 12, 2011 09:13:00

Geelong's Mitch Duncan is the round three AFL Rising Star nominee.

The 19-year-old utility had 24 possessions and nine marks and kicked two goals in the Cats' 79-point win over Port Adelaide last Sunday.

Duncan made his AFL debut in round one last year and played eight games last season.

He has played all three games in 2011, averaging 19 disposals.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said Duncan had made the most of the opportunity to break into the Cats side.

"Mitch put in a really good preseason and he has taken that into the season," Scott said.

"He is taking the opportunity that is there and he reads the play and uses the ball well.

"Mitch can play a variety of roles and he has the maturity and ability to develop into a very good player for the club."

Duncan, originally from the Carine Junior Football Club in Perth, represented Western Australia in the AFL Under-18 championships in 2008-09.

He was a member of the 2008 AIS-AFL Academy squad and was named an All-Australian 2009.

He was selection 56 in the 2009 AFL draft.

-AAP

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